Four PSL teams going down?

HARARE - The Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) councillors have plunged the Castle Lager Premiership (PSL) into disarray after they voted to relegate four teams from the top flight league this season.

Meeting for the first time since their failed bid to disband Zifa and form the National Football Association of Zimbabwe (Nafaz), the councillors reversed a resolution they passed at their 2015 Annual General Meeting (AGM) that starting from the 2016 season only two teams would be demoted from the PSL.

The winners from the four Division One leagues namely Southern, Northern, Central and Eastern would then play in a play-off with the top two teams getting promotion to the top flight league.

However, when the Zifa councillors met in the capital at the weekend, there was a heated argument over the issue of relegation.

In the end, the matter was put to a poll with 26 voting in favour to revert back to the old format and 16 voting to relegate two teams.

As things stand, it means Border Strikers, who have already been demoted, Mutare City, Tsholotsho and Chapungu would be relegated at the end of the season.

There was no official comment from Zifa after the meeting which has made the scenario precarious.

PSL chairperson Peter Dube also refused to comment on the matter.

“There really must be some form of communication from the one who must lead the way. For now I think it is our association which is more qualified to comment than the PSL. It’s only fair that the association gives details on what really transpired,” Dube said.

The Daily News also understands that if the latest resolution is adopted then the league is likely to appeal against the decision.

The motion to relegate two teams was recommended by Fifa after the world football governing body observed that there was limited continuity in the local league.

By relegating four teams, it means 25 percent of the top flight teams go down at the end of every season which is not a healthy situation in terms of continuity.

Comments (1)

ZIFA must see into it that they stick to the resolution passed in 2025. Short changes can cause disorder to the whole system, from teams to the association and sponsors.

Gumandafa - 1 November 2016

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